The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.
Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.
The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.
Early Optimism Vanishes
The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.
A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.
India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.
A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.
Worrying Trend
This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.
The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition too.
After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.
Causes of the Fall
India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.
Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.
Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.
Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.
The Core Issue
Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.
Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.
While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.
Several Weaknesses
Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.
Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.
This was evident in the displays of the squad.
Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.
A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.
Management Questions
The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.
During his post-series press
